Job overview
Pennine Care NHS talking therapies are looking to recruit trainee High Intensity Therapists.
Please state your preferred talking therapies service/location when making your application. This is a request and while we will do our best to match successful applicants to their preferred location, this cannot always be guaranteed.
The Trust provides high-performing and innovative Primary Care psychological therapies for diverse populations in the boroughs of Stockport, Tameside, Rochdale, Bury and Oldham.
This is a training role within the NHS Talking Therapies .You will work within the Talking Therapies service providing high intensity interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role. This intensive training post will equip you to provide a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) service to clients with a range of complex problems for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective. You will work in the service as a Trainee Therapist and will be given time to attend the NHS Talking Therapies training programme. You will will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities.
Interviews date: TBC
Start date will be early September 2026.
Main duties of the job
Assess clients for suitability for CBT. Where the problems appear to be too complex or severe, to be appropriate for a trainee therapists to refer to manager/supervisor for advice on how to manage the case. Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the department’s referral protocols,
Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients. Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week .
Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach. Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process
Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post. Apply learning from the training programme in practice Receive supervision from educational providers in relation to course work to meet the required standards and supervision hours. Receive clinical supervision within the practice area and agree to the development of a supervision contract and meet regularly in order to meet the hours of required placement based clinical supervision. Professional.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please read the job description and person specification when completing your application form. We will be looking for examples of how you have demonstrated each of the criteria listed on the person specification. Use your supporting information section and previous employment to evidence these.
Person specification
Training
Essential
- Able to attend a two day per week course
- Able to complete academic components of the course
- Able to integrate training into practice
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care
- Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
- Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
- Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services
- Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets
- Ability to manage own caseload and time
- Demonstrates high standards in written communication
- Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers
Desirable
- Experience working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression.
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services
- Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
- Experience of working with diverse communities within a multicultural setting
- Fluent in languages other than English
Qualifications
Essential
- A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following at graduate level in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy or within a psychological therapy. OR Evidence of meeting the Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) requirements of BABCP.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
- Computer literate
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Has received training (either formal of through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
- Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
- Ability to work under pressure
- Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
- Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
- Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Trainee High Intensity Therapist with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust in Ashton Under Lyne, North West, England. It is listed as a Band 6 Mental health professionals role. The advertised salary is £39,959 - £48,117 per annum, pro rata. The contract type is 12 months (On successful completion of all learning requirements within your contracted period, you will be eligible to apply for a high intensity therapist post within the trust and accreditation with BABCP or BPS. Accreditation is mandatory within an NHS commissioned service. Progress to complete learning requirements will be monitored throughout your fixed term contract, and failure to achieve these may result in a decision being made on your continued employment. However, where there are evidenced extenuating circumstances outside of your control that mean you are unable to complete your programme by the end of your initial fixed term contract, the Trust will review your case and endeavour to support you in completing your studies where possible.). The application deadline is 23 Jul 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (10 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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